Chasing the Northern Lights…

If seeing the Aurora Borealis has been quietly sitting on your bucket list, winter in Iceland is one of the very best ways to make it happen. There is something magical about this island in the colder months — snow-dusted landscapes, steaming geothermal baths, long twilights, and skies dark enough to let the northern lights truly shine.

Planning a successful aurora trip does take a bit of intention, smart winter packing and careful consideration about activities.  With the right timing and a thoughtful itinerary, your trip can feel surprisingly relaxed. We’ve found that winter travel in Iceland rewards those who plan well but stay flexible, and that balance is what makes the experience unforgettable.

When to Go: Timing Is Everything

To maximize your chances of seeing the aurora, we recommend scheduling your trip around the New Moon phase. With minimal moonlight, the sky is at its darkest — exactly what you want when hunting for northern lights. Winter nights in Iceland are long, which increases your viewing window, but weather always plays a role, so it’s best to think of aurora sightings as a wonderful possibility rather than a guarantee.

Flights to Iceland are often overnight, especially from the U.S., which means you’ll likely land early in the morning. Instead of pushing through exhaustion, we’ve learned that planning a restorative first day makes the entire trip feel smoother and more enjoyable.

Day One: Ease Into Iceland

After arriving at in Keflavik, take advantage of the duty-free shop if you plan to purchase alcohol — it’s far more affordable here than once you’re in the country. From there, rent an all-wheel-drive vehicle, which is essential for winter driving outside the city.

We recommend heading to the Blue Lagoon, located just 20 minutes from the airport. On the way, stop at Kökulist Bakery for a hot coffee and pastry — a simple but comforting way to start your Iceland adventure. A few hours soaking in the geothermal waters, enjoying the swim-up bar, saunas, and silica mud masks, is the perfect way to reset after overnight travel. It’s no surprise this iconic spot has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the world’s natural wonders .

Afterward, continue into Reykjavik and check into your lodging.  We recommend renting an apartment with cooking facilities (through Airbnb, VRBO or a similar platform).  This is also a good time to stock up on groceries at stores like Netto, Hagkaup, Bonus, or Kronan. Dining out in Iceland is expensive, and having snacks and easy meals on hand gives you flexibility throughout the trip.

Day Two: Exploring Beyond the City

• With limited daylight in winter, we recommend using each day intentionally. The southern coast offers stunning scenery along the Ring Road — waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, glacier views, and hidden geothermal pools. Packing snacks and warm drinks makes these road trips more comfortable and allows you to linger when the scenery demands it.
• On the way we recommend making a quick stop in Hveragerol, a town known for its volcanic and geothermal activity due to its location between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. We recommend going to the Sunnumork shopping center and seeing a demonstration of the plates in action, doing some quick shopping for reasonably priced Icelandic gifts and grabbing a coffee and a donut at the patisserie.
• Not far from the Seljalandsfoss is Seljavallalaug Hot Pool, a free off-the-beaten-path hot spring with a changing room.
• If time allows, there are also other interesting stops like the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck (a DC-3 plane that crashed on the beach back in 1973), Solheimajokull glacier and many hiking trails.

For aurora viewing, seek out areas with minimal light pollution and a clear northern horizon. National parks, waterfalls, and remote stretches of road can offer spectacular views — always making sure to pull off the road entirely.  This allows you to view the aurora safely and remember to be prepared for changing weather conditions.

Day 3: Golden Circle & Local Experiences

A visit to Þingvellir National Park is a must, offering dramatic landscapes, historic significance, and excellent aurora potential. One of our favorite daytime experiences is lunch at Friðheimar, a tomato farm and greenhouse restaurant that feels both cozy and uniquely Icelandic. Pair that with a soak at the Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, for a more local geothermal experience.

Day 4 – Enjoy the city of Reykjavik

Reykjavík itself is full of charm — from iconic landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja and the Sun Voyager sculpture to cozy cafés, bakeries, bookstores, and galleries. Wandering the city feels effortless, with art and design around every corner. Here are some of our recommended activities:

• Landmarks –
  • Hallgrimskirkja – the famous Lutheran church built between 1945-1986 with a 73-meter high tower that takes it’s inspiration from Iceland’s glaciers, mountains and landscape. It is the largest church in the country and located on top of the hill in the center of Reykjavik. 
  • Leif Erikson statue (in front of Hallgrimskirkja) to commemorate the Norse explorer who is thought to have been the first European to set foot on continental America, approximately half a millennium before Christopher Columbus.
  • Sun Voyager – head down to the waterfront and see the iconic steel boat structure that resembles a Viking longship. The stunning mountains in the background are worth the walk.
• Dining & Social –
  • Reykjavik Roasters serves some of the best coffee we have ever had
  • Sandholt offers a delicious variety of upscale pastries, sandwiches and chocolates
  • Braud is a convenient bakery and offers easy take away options
  • Café Loki offers traditional Icelandic options situated in front of Hallgrimskirkja. We loved their lamb shank and had to try the tasting platters, fermented shark and Brennivin shot.
  • Bezta Pylsur – the famous hot dog stand.
  • Rublan bokakaffi – a library with live music, great Icelandic beer and if you’re lucky, a visit with Romeo, the border collie.
• Shopping
  • There are many stores offering traditional Icelandic gifts, jewelry, ceramics, wellness/beauty and clothing. We even stopped at Verzlanahollin, a popular second hand store that offers an eclectic variety of consigned items.
  • Bookstores and bookstore cafés like Rublan bokakaffi are a staple in the city.
  • Reykjavik also has shopping centers where you can find almost anything you would need for your trip.
  • As you wander through town enjoy the murals, paintings and public art around every corner of the city.

Day 5 – A fitting finale, the Peninsula and Sky Lagoon

Drive out to the Seltjarnarnes peninsula and enjoy the Grotta Lighthouse.  This is a quiet place to walk and enjoy the black sand beach and some bird-watching away from the crowds in the city.  The views out over the bay and of the city are breathtaking.  It is also a great place to see the Aurora Borealis close to the city.

Sky Lagoon is located 10 minutes from downtown Reykjavik.  It is a luxury oceanside geothermal spa with views that stretch out over the North Atlantic.  They offer a seven-step relaxation ritual that includes a warm lagoon dip, cool mist and salt scrub.  We think it’s the perfect way to end your trip to Iceland.  If you’re lucky, you may even catch the aurora one last time.

A Few Final Tips

Iceland’s winter weather can change quickly. Always travel prepared with proper clothing, food, a charged phone, and a flexible mindset. Icelanders are welcoming, community-focused, and deeply proud of their country — following a leave-no-trace mentality is essential for preserving its beauty.

A winter aurora trip to Iceland isn’t just about checking off a bucket-list moment — it’s about slowing down, appreciating the natural beauty of the country, embracing the elements, and letting the landscape do what it does best.